Table 2-4 Specially controlled wastes

Classification	Major groups	Description
Specially controlled municipal waste	Parts containing PCBs	Parts containing PCBs, and included in waste air conditioner, waste TV or waste microwave
Soot and dust	Generated at incinerators in waste treatment facilities
Soot, dust, cinders, sludge	Generated from municipal waste incinerators, which are facilities specified by the Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins, and including dioxins
Infectious municipal waste	Generated from hospitals or similar, and that may contain infectious pathogens or have such pathogens attached
Specially controlled industrial waste	Waste oil	Volatile oils, kerosene, light oils
Waste acid	Extremely corrosive waste acid with pH2.0 or lower
Waste alkali	Extremely corrosive waste alkali with pH12.5 or higher
Infectious industrial waste	Generated from hospitals or similar, and that may contain infectious pathogens or have such pathogens attached
Specified hazardous industrial waste	Waste PCB, etc.	Waste PCBs and waste oils including PCBs
PCB-contaminated material	Sludge subject to PCB-permeation, waste paper subject to PCB-application or impregnated with PCB, waste wood or waste fiber subject to PCB-permeation, waste plastics or scrap metal subject to adherence of PCBs, or have enclosed PCBs, waste ceramic or debris subject to adherence of PCBs
Treated PCB material	Treated in order to dispose of waste PCBs or PCB-contaminated materials, and including PCBs
Designated sewage sludge	As stipulated by Article 13-4 of the Enforcement Ordinance of the Sewerage Law
Slag	Slag including heavy metals
Waste asbestos	Generated by construction asbestos removal businesses, or from sites with designated particulate emitting facilities installed, and with a risk of dispersion
Soot, dust, cinders	Waste including heavy metals or dioxins
Waste oil	Waste oils including organochlorine compounds
Sludge, waste acid, waste alkali	Waste including heavy metals, PCBs, organochlorine compounds, agricultural chemicals, dioxins

Source: Ministry of the Environment

age caused by asbestos to the health, etc. of people. In order for the national government to promote safe and rapid treatment of waste containing asbestos, started under this law is a system (called “Toxicity Eliminating or Decomposing Treatment Certification System) when the Minister of the Environment certifies an operator to be able to eliminate or decompose toxicity with advanced techniques, such as fusion, no license for a specific type of business and facility installation is required of a business operator by the governor, etc. of the prefecture.

### B. Municipal waste

The Ministry of the Environment is requesting municipalities to deliver the wastes of household appliances containing asbestos, such as irons, toasters, and dryers, distinguish them from other wastes, collect them without damaging them, not to smash them if possible after collection, and to finally dispose of them by sprinkling with water or immediately covering them with soil, or to distinguish them from other wastes when stored.

On the other hand, as a permanent measure, the ministry laid down technical guidelines based on advice by professionals about how to treat the waste of household appliances containing asbestos, showed the guideline to municipalities, and requested them to treat the wastes appropriately.

## (6) Development of a System for Treating Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Waste

### A. Development of a Nationwide System for Treating PCB Waste

The Japan Environment Safety Corporation developed a system for treating high-pressure transformers, capacitors, etc. containing PCB, based on this system, five broader-area treatment facilities have been established in Japan (Kitakyushu City, Toyota City, Tokyo Metropolis, Osaka City, and Muroran City in Hokkaido). Treatment operations started in Kitakyushu in December 2004, in Toyota in September 2005, in Tokyo in November 2005, in Osaka in October 2006, and in Hokkaido in May 2008.

The national government, in cooperation with 47 prefectures, has been making efforts to establish a fund (PCB Waste Treatment Fund) to facilitate treatment by small and medium size companies that cannot bear the burden of such expenses.

#### B. Measures for Treating Waste Electric Equipment, etc. Containing Very Small Amounts of PCB

Concerning PCB waste, it has been found that transformers, etc. in which no PCB is used actually contain a large quantity of insulating oil contaminated with very small amounts of PCB (hereafter referred to as “waste electric equipment, etc. containing very small amounts of PCB”). However, there is no prospect that most of the PCB waste will be treated appropriately. This waste electric equipment,